Overview
Why this aircraft matters
The project answered a wartime need to move troops and materials across the Atlantic beyond submarine attack. Howard Hughes piloted its single short flight in Long Beach in 1947.
Size and design
The aircraft used Duramold laminated birch rather than solid spruce. Eight radial engines powered a high wing spanning almost 98 metres.
At 66.65 metres long and 97.51 metres across, the H-4 Hercules occupies a very different physical envelope from an everyday single-aisle airliner. Dimensions alone do not tell the entire story: payload, cabin volume and intended role determine how that space is used.
Operators and current status
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (preserved).
Preserved museum aircraft. Operator lists can change; they are reviewed against first-party material and are not a live fleet-tracking service.
Notable records
- Largest wingspan of any aircraft from 1947 until 2019
- Flew once
- Constructed primarily from Duramold laminated birch
Source notes
Museum figures are converted from 319 ft 11 in span, 218 ft 8 in length, 79 ft 4 in height and 150 mph cruise speed.
Last verified: 9 September 2026. Values may differ by variant, operating condition and source definition.